Two charged after dog dragged by car

Niagara Regional Police have charged two Fort Erie residents with one count each of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog, and causing injury by willful neglect to a dog.

Cassandra McKay, 42, and Gary Dewilde, 47, were charged after police received 911 calls about a dog being dragged by a car on Southworth St. in Welland, Thursday, Feb. 2.

Moments later, police said, further information was received reporting the involved vehicle had struck another vehicle and had come to a stop on Southworth at Sutherland Ave.

Officers responded to the crash and found that a small dachshund/ beagle mix dog had been dragged along Southworth, and suffered traumatic injuries. The dog was rushed by a witness to a nearby veterinarian’s office, were its injuries were treated.

“Remarkably, given the ordeal the dog endured, it is expected to recover,” police said in a release.

Witnesses told police the dog had been attached by a leash to the passenger side door of a black Hyundai Accent, which was seen at the Lincoln Street Beer Store. The vehicle departed the Beer Store and travelled east along Lincoln St. before turning southbound on Southworth, with the small dog making an unsuccessful effort to run along behind the car.

“The incident was witnessed by several persons, who made efforts, ultimately to no avail, to signal the Hyundai driver of the dog’s predicament. The leash tethering the dog broke seconds before the Hyundai Accent struck another vehicle and came to a stop, some 800 metres from the Beer Store,” police said in the release.

McKay and Dewilde will appear in court on March 29.

Investigators are interested in talking to anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or may have information that would assist in the investigation. They can call 905-688-4111 extension 3355 or email Thomas.Manney@niagarapolice.ca.